1 day in Lucerne: is Pilatus worth it if weather isn’t great?
A traveler shared that they have one day in Lucerne and are curious if it's worth visiting Mt. Pilatus, especially with uncertain weather. They are seeking advice on whether to go for it or choose alternative options like Mt. Rigi.
- If you have a Swiss Travel Pass, you only receive a 50% discount on Mt. Pilatus, while trips to Rigi and lake boats are free.
- The boat trip to Alpnachstad for Pilatus is scenic and enjoyable, often favored over the Rigi route.
- Consider taking the cable cars down from Pilatus for unique views, as they are included in your ticket price.
- In uncertain weather, check conditions at Vitznau or Beckenried before deciding on your trip to Rigi or other destinations.
AI-generated summary-
We have 1 day in Lucerne. Is it worth it to go to mt. Pilatus especially if the weather is questionable?
-
PIlatus (https://www.myswissalps.com/activity/pilatus/) is worth it if the weather is reasonably good. But remember that if you have invested in a Swiss Travel Pass, you only get a 50% discount on the fares. By contrast Rigi (https://www.myswissalps.com/activity/rigi/), Stanserhorn (https://www.myswissalps.com/activity/stanserhorn/), and the lake boats are all free with the STP.
Best wishes
Roger
Shel
If it is not raining like cats and dogs (and you are willing to eat the 50% reduction only on the trip from Alpnachstad to Pilatus), I think it might be worth going to Pilatus vs Rigi. Here are my reasons (and suggestions)- The boat trip to Alpnachstad was more enjoyable to us that the Rigi trip since it went through both open and narrow areas of the lake (esp near Stansstad)
- The cog-wheel train upto Pilatus was also quite novel – the Rigi train is a regular train
- Stairs from the Pilatus main deck to higher areas for even better views
- On the way down from Pilatus, we took the cable cars to Kriens. First is a big one with wide windows (perhaps holds 20-30 people), and then a smaller one (4 person) on the next leg. You can also stop on intermediary stops for snacks etc. The cable cars are included in your ticket prices to Pilatus, so you get to enjoy both paths
- Bus from Kriens to Lucerne (covered by your pass)
The Rigi trip was nice (there was a music troop in the train, and they played live while we were coming down). We enjoyed both trips – but if we had only one day, knowing what we know now, it would have been Pilatus, even with the extra cost (only 50% reduction)
Hello Shel and VK123
Some comments about VK123’s reply
I would agree with VK123’s first bullet point.
On the second bullet point both railways up the Rigi are cog-wheel, though of a different type from the unique Locher system used up Pilatus. Vitnau-Rigi was the first cog-wheel railway in Europe, and set off a boom in that type of line.
On the third bullet point the walk at Rigi to the summit is easy. It is very subjective as to which mountain has the better views.
On the fourth bullet point we do not know what public transport pass Shel’s group has got. If they have invested in Swiss Travel Passes then my point in my reply one is very important. ‘remember that if you have invested in a Swiss Travel Pass, you only get a 50% discount on the [Pilatus] fares. By contrast Rigi (https://www.myswissalps.com/activity/rigi/), Stanserhorn (https://www.myswissalps.com/activity/stanserhorn/), and the lake boats are all free with the STP.Note that Rigi can be done as a circular trip. Luzern-Vitznau-Rigi-ArthGoldau-Luzern. If Shel’s group have STPs those are also valid on the Weggis-Rigi Kaltbad cable car. Lots of easy hikes on Rigi.
If Shel’s group have STPs and the weather is uncertain, they could leave Luzern on the 09 12 boat. If the weather is better at Vitznau go up Rigi. If not stay on the boat. If it is better at Beckenried go up Klewenalp. If not go on to Brunnen. If it is good at Brunnen catch the bus to Morschach and then the cable car to Stoos. (Come down on the steep funicular and return to Luzern via Schwyz.) If they go on to Fluelen get off there and catch the Treno Gottardo heading south along the spectacular OLD Gotthard Railway. All transport mentioned in this paragraph is free with the STP.
Kind regards
Roger
Roger
I very much regret not having the information you have provided right now – would most certainly have taken the opportunities in 2016 of a more diverse Rigi trip than the one we had – it was still quite nice. In 2016, I had joined this forum and asked a few questions but not knowing anything, didn’t know what exactly to ask. I recently joined again since we are a month away from another trip. This time around, I am doing more research before planning the trips rather than just landing there and deciding the morning of.This forum is such a valuable resource I feel. With 7-10 day trips that folks usually take, a planned trip gives you orders of magnitude ROI (literally and figuratively) vs spur of the moment decisions (which has its own charm as well)
Hello VK123
Thanks for your reply numbered reply 4.
However I had to look up ‘ROI’ using Google. The suggested meaning is ‘Return on Investment’.
When in Switzerland it is important to get a good ‘Return on Investment’ from whatever public transport pass you have invested in.
Ever since it was introduced (under another name) in 1972 I have invested in a Swiss Travel Pass on all my Swiss holidays/vacations. One of the ways in which I get a good return on my investment is making ‘spur of the moment’ decisions. My final paragraph in my reply 3 is a (hypothetical) example of somethings I often do when in Switzerland.
https://www.myswissalps.com/travel-ticket/swiss-travel-pass/
That final paragraph looks crazy, but it is perfectly possible because of a combination of three factors. Firstly the Swiss Travel Pass – no other country has a public transport pass valid on all modes of public transport. Secondly, the way the Swiss have timetabled all modes of public transport to interconnect. Thirdly, in the Luzern area, unlike in the rest of Switzerland, there are a significant number of higish mountain lines which are free with the Swiss Travel Pass.
Best wishes for your 2025 travels.
Roger
- The thread ‘1 day in Lucerne: is Pilatus worth it if weather isn’t great?’ is closed to new replies.
